UC Riverside students and employees have several new dining options to choose from this fall, including free delivery from the Barn and a remodeled dining hall.
Other programs launching soon include acai bowls at Scoops, a smart store at the Student Success Center, and the return of the Barn’s fall concert series.
The Lothian Residential Restaurant reopened this fall following a summer remodeling project that gave it a fresh look and expanded seating.
The project includes new lighting, paint, wood flooring and, modern tables and chairs. It features more community tables and bar seating to create a more social atmosphere.
Customers will see an enhanced pizza menu, expanded sushi offerings, and a larger dessert area.
The restaurant, which serves up to 1,400 diners a day, is enjoyed by customers for its communal feel, said Marcus Van Vleet, executive director of Dining and Hospitality Services.
“It’s modernized but still with a homey feel,” Van Vleet said. “We think students are going to love it. It looks great.”
The Barn delivers
Dining Services is expanding its mobile ordering program to include free delivery from the Barn. Customers could already order ahead on the mobile app. Now, students, staff, and faculty members can order meals from the Barn during business hours and have them delivered anywhere on campus.
“We know there’s a lot of fans of the Barn on campus and we wanted to appeal to those that maybe have a tight timeline,” Van Vleet said. “So if you can’t get to the Barn, we’ll bring the Barn to you.”
Dining Services staff will deliver meals in a golf cart with the Barn logo, meeting customers at the entrance of their building.
Acai bowls at the HUB
The Scoops Ice Cream Shop, which opened two years ago at the Highlander Union Building food court, is expanding its hours and menu.
From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Monday through Friday, a breakfast acai-focused option will be available. The menu includes two different acai flavors, granola, a variety of fruits, and toppings like honey, peanut butter, and almond butter.
“We plan on expanding as it grows but we’re very excited to bring it,” said Kurt Duffner, director of retail and restaurants for Dining Services.
The concept was proposed in response to surveys of students who indicated they were looking for healthy options in the morning.
Scoops will shift to its ice cream service at noon. Dining Services is continuing to collaborate with a boutique creamery to develop flavors featuring UCR-grown and developed citrus varieties. Lemon cake and orange creamsicle are among the new flavors that will be introduced this fall.
Smart store at the Student Success Center
The Student Success Center has become a popular hangout and study spot for students since it opened in 2021. But the only food and beverage options available in the building were its vending machines that were among the most heavily frequented on campus.
In October, Dining Services will open Scotty’s Go, a self-service store selling a variety of grab-and-go food and drinks. In addition to the typical candy, chips, and sodas, the store will include items such as pre-made sandwiches, ramen cups, and frozen meals. A microwave and hot water will be available for customer use.
Scotty’s Go will use smart store technology that eliminates checkout lines and registers. Instead, cameras and sensors track items that are picked up and charge customers as they leave the retail area through a swinging door.
Located on the first floor in the student lounge area near the main entrance, it will be open the same hours as the Student Success Center.
Duffner said Dining wanted to expand services to areas that don’t have food options close by and provide a quick option for students on the go.
“This has turned out to be a building that gets a lot of student traffic, so it certainly makes sense to have something that's very convenient for them nearby,” he said.
If successful, the model could be expanded to other campus locations, Duffner said.
New menu items and music at the Barn
The Barn and the Stable are back to their regular hours this fall with some new menu items including steak and salmon.
The fall will feature a series of student-sponsored events in partnership with student organizations and clubs. The Barn’s fall concert series will begin in October with a show every week through November including Halloween-themed events such as a screening of the film “Halloween Town” and a concert by the Mismiths.
Visit the Dining Services website for more information on dining venue hours, menus, and locations.
